The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Picked Second in Conference USA Preseason Poll
10/27/2017 2:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB men's basketball team has been predicted to finish second in the Conference USA Preseason Poll as voted on by the league's head coaches, the conference office announced on Friday.
UAB received four first-place votes and is predicted to finish behind only reigning Conference USA champion Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders, who went 31-5 last season and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament, received eight first-place votes. Louisiana Tech received the final two first-place votes and was predicted to finish third.
UAB returns two starters, five additional letterwinners and welcomes six newcomers to a team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 Conference USA Tournament last season. In addition, the Blazers proved to be one of the top defensive teams in the nation for the third consecutive year, ranking second in the league and 28th in the NCAA with 4.9 blocked shots per game.
Blazer seniors William Lee and Chris Cokley were both named to the preseason All-Conference USA team earlier this month, making UAB one of only two teams in the league with more than one selection. Lee served as both the offensive and defensive catalyst for the Blazers last season, leading UAB with 13.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and ranking 20th and 11th in C-USA, respectively. A native of Selma, Ala., Lee also captured his second straight Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Cokley ended last season second on the team and 24th in Conference USA with 12.1 points per game, which included three games with at least 20 points. The Savannah, Ga., native also pulled down 6.0 rebounds per game and stood second on the team and 17th in the league. Cokley also proved to be one of the most efficient shooters in the NCAA, as he ranked second in Conference USA and 31st in the nation with a .582 field goal percentage. He ended the season with 20 games where he shot at least 60.0 percent from the field and 10 games where he shot 70.0 percent from the field.
Season tickets for UAB's 18 home games are on sale for $250 to the general public and $225 to UAB employees and active members of the National Alumni Society. Blazer fans can also enjoy a limited number of season tickets in Blaze's Corner for $105 (available while supplies last).
All single game tickets and mini plans go on sale Monday, October 30 at 9 a.m. Lower level tickets can be purchased for $20 and upper level seating will be on sale for $15. Special group pricing is also available for groups of 20 or more to enjoy a great game day experience at Bartow Arena.
The UAB men's basketball team opens the 2017-18 season Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. when the Blazers host Morehouse College in an exhibition game at Bartow Arena. The regular season kicks off Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in a home game against Jacksonville.
2017-18 Conference USA Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
For more information on UAB men's basketball, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MBB), Instagram (@blazerhoops) and Snapchat (@UAB_MBB).
UAB received four first-place votes and is predicted to finish behind only reigning Conference USA champion Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders, who went 31-5 last season and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament, received eight first-place votes. Louisiana Tech received the final two first-place votes and was predicted to finish third.
UAB returns two starters, five additional letterwinners and welcomes six newcomers to a team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 Conference USA Tournament last season. In addition, the Blazers proved to be one of the top defensive teams in the nation for the third consecutive year, ranking second in the league and 28th in the NCAA with 4.9 blocked shots per game.
Blazer seniors William Lee and Chris Cokley were both named to the preseason All-Conference USA team earlier this month, making UAB one of only two teams in the league with more than one selection. Lee served as both the offensive and defensive catalyst for the Blazers last season, leading UAB with 13.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and ranking 20th and 11th in C-USA, respectively. A native of Selma, Ala., Lee also captured his second straight Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Cokley ended last season second on the team and 24th in Conference USA with 12.1 points per game, which included three games with at least 20 points. The Savannah, Ga., native also pulled down 6.0 rebounds per game and stood second on the team and 17th in the league. Cokley also proved to be one of the most efficient shooters in the NCAA, as he ranked second in Conference USA and 31st in the nation with a .582 field goal percentage. He ended the season with 20 games where he shot at least 60.0 percent from the field and 10 games where he shot 70.0 percent from the field.
Season tickets for UAB's 18 home games are on sale for $250 to the general public and $225 to UAB employees and active members of the National Alumni Society. Blazer fans can also enjoy a limited number of season tickets in Blaze's Corner for $105 (available while supplies last).
All single game tickets and mini plans go on sale Monday, October 30 at 9 a.m. Lower level tickets can be purchased for $20 and upper level seating will be on sale for $15. Special group pricing is also available for groups of 20 or more to enjoy a great game day experience at Bartow Arena.
The UAB men's basketball team opens the 2017-18 season Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. when the Blazers host Morehouse College in an exhibition game at Bartow Arena. The regular season kicks off Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in a home game against Jacksonville.
2017-18 Conference USA Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
- Middle Tennessee (8)
- UAB (4)
- Louisiana Tech (2)
- Old Dominion
- UTEP
- WKU
- Marshall
- Charlotte
- UTSA
- Southern Miss
- North Texas
- Florida Atlantic
- Rice
- FIU
For more information on UAB men's basketball, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MBB), Instagram (@blazerhoops) and Snapchat (@UAB_MBB).
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